Downing Street

Downing Street is a street in London, England that houses the official residences and offices of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. It was built in the 1680s by George Downing, and it housed the First Lord of the Treasury (Prime Minister) and Second Lord of the Treasury (Chancellor of the Exchequer) for over 300 years. The Prime Minister's residence is 10 Downing Street, while the Chancellor lives at 11 Downing Street and the Chief Whip at 12 Downing Street. The street is closed to the public due to its governmental and political importance, and "Downing Street" is often used as a metonym for the British government.